Chapter 628: Coup (1/2)
”Is this news true?” Prince Herod asked anxiously to Captain Blake who was seated in his usual chair. He had rushed over to the Old Ugly as soon as he read the message and demanded to meet Blake. ”How did you get this information when our own spies and scouts have not even spotted anything?”
”I have my means,” Blake gave a shrug and replied. ”I have done my part for our alliance. It is up to you to believe it or not.”
Prince Herod slumped down on the chair behind him, his mind racing as he sought out possibilities and answers. Finally, he stood up and said in a tired voice, ”If this is true... I have to warn the court...”
”For all our sake, I hope that your information is false...” Prince Herod paused at the door and said before leaving. ”If not... This might be the greatest disaster the Iron Kingdom has ever faced...”
Prince Herod swapped out a fresh mount as he rushed back to the Iron Palace with his guards. Not long after, nine strokes of a bell resounded from the Iron Palace and echoed throughout the Capital. The Iron Lords and ministers hearing the nine strokes of the bell came rushing into the Iron Palace as the ringing of the Iron Palace's bell nine times in the Palace meant something on a kingdom level had occurred.
The seats inside the Chamber for assembly of the Iron Lords and ministers was quickly filled up. The first thing any of the Lords and ministers saw was the Third Prince seated at the head of the Chamber, looking impatiently at the giant iron steam powered sand glass on one side of the Chamber.
The Lords and ministers whispered amongst themselves as they inquired about the sudden urgent summons. Many rumors were spread but most of the Lords and ministers were thinking about one thing, that the Iron King has passed away. As the buzz continued, the Second Prince entered along with Lord Sincia and they took the seating for royals next to Prince Herod.
A look of barely suppressed glee was on the Second Prince's face as he sat down and glanced around the Chamber triumphantly. On the other hand, Lord Sincia preserved an aura of calm as he sat down and folded his hands on his lap and closed his eyes. Finally, unable to wait no longer, Prince Herod stood up and addressed the assembled court.
”I have called for an urgent assembly of the court as I have just received a piece of urgent news...” Prince Herod spoke out. The assembled court had quietened down when he stood up and now everyone's eyes and ears were on him. ”I have received word that Protectorate forces are amassing their fleets for an attack on our borders!”
His sentence caused an uproar among the court. Some let out sighs of relief for they had assumed the worse for their King, others panicked as it would mean their territories would be ravaged by the Protectorate. Prince Herod banged the table with his fist and the Chamber quietened down again before he continued. ”I will be leading my personnel troops and taking the 9th Fleet to support the border.”
”All other Iron Lords not in assigned to the Tri State front are to return to their fiefs and raise all their troops to defend against the Protectorate!” Prince Herod ordered. ”We have not much time! The Protectorate will attack us anytime soon!”
”Wait!” The Second Prince stood up and yelled loudly over the din of discussion that broke out after Prince Herod's announcement. Prince Najja glared at his brother and said, ”On what basis are you ordering the Court to move their troops?”
”I have reliable information that the Protectorate are attacking!” Prince Herod growled. ”Is that not enough?”
”Reliable information?” Prince Najja laughed, making his fats wobble. ”Has our spies spotted anything?”
Prince Najja directed the question to one of the Iron Lords in the crowd. The Iron Lord who handled the spy network of the Iron Kingdom, stood up and bowed before he said, ”No, your Highness... I have not received any news about any troops movements of the Protectorate.”
”See?” Prince Najja declared triumphantly. ”You have no right!”
Prince Herod's eyes glared murderously at Prince Najja who coughed nervously as he backed away from his brother's glare. Lord Sincia suddenly stood up and he shook his head sadly. ”Prince Herod... I know you wanted the position of Crown Prince... But how can you use such a scheme against your own brother?”
”What scheme?” Prince Herod frowned as his eyes narrow suspiciously. He felt something was not right with the way his royal uncle was acting. ”What are you talking about?”
”Clearly this is a scheme to gain military strength from the Iron Lords!” Lord Sincia sighed. ”With at least half of our military facing off against the Tri State... You planned to make use of this... so called invasion by the Protectorate, so that you can gain command of the remaining military forces for your own use!”
”How could you?” Lord Sincia's shoulders slumped down and he sighed deeply again. ”I know you could not bear the fact that your second brother has surpassed you and became the Crown Prince... But how could you make such a scheme?”
”Even if he is your half brother...” Lord Sincia shook his head sadly. ”He is still your family! How could you pretend to say the Protectorate are invading and plan a military coup after seizing control of the border troops?”
”How could you betray your royal father? Your family? And the Iron Kingdom when it needed your talents the most against the Tri State?” Lord Sincia's words made the entire court glare at the Third Prince, many of them started to believe Lord Sincia's words.
”NO!” Prince Herod roared angrily. ”I am not scheming nor planning any coup! The Protectorate at going to attack us and all you can do is still play politics?”
”Brother!” Prince Najja cried out, tears forming on his eyes and his chubby hands clenching his chest in shock. ”H- How could you? Even... if we do not see eye to eye.. How... How could you wish me dead? If you really want to be Crown Prince... I... I can give you the position!”
Prince Herod cursed at the acting of his royal uncle and brother. He knew he had been outplayed by his royal uncle's wits and nothing he said could prove his innocence. Even if the information provided by Captain Blake was true, there was nothing he could do to prove it until the Protectorate attacks and by then, it would be too late to do anything!
”FINE!” Prince Herod slammed his fists on the table and the whole Chamber was silenced. ”Since no one believes me... I shall take my own forces to the border!”